MARCH 12, 2005
Once, when a French Nobel prize winning geneticist stated that in his opinion the individual did not exist but that our destiny was locked up in our genes, Mother Teresa sat listening, eyes closed and hands folded in prayer. When asked if she had any comment, she said, "I believe in love and compassion," then continued her meditation. Upon leaving the studio the geneticist muttered, "If I saw much more of that woman I should be in bad trouble."
Dear Friends,
When I close my eyes, I pray for the future of our children here and around the world. For many, their future is questionable and I yearn for them to know some sense of kindness, joy and comfort - a life being touched by goodness.
This past month, among the calls I have received from parents requesting prayer, was one for a 13-year old REACH child who, for years, has been on a waiting list for a lung transplant and now the long awaited news had come that she had a donor. Her life expectancy without the transplant was down to 2 months, but with the transplant, there was hope for an extended life. Her mother stated with an anxious voice, "You know I don't believe, but Suzie you do, it's your job; so would you pray that Angela lives through the surgery?"
So comes the need and with it, my confusion and sorrow. This sort of request always creates in me mixed feelings, for while Angela is given a chance to live, I knew some other child had died, that another family grieved.
The best gift we can give one another is love and one of the best gifts of love I can give a child and their family is the commitment of prayer; prayers that are requested or prayers for those who remain silent, whose cries go unnoticed, hidden by shadows of shame or fear or confusion, here and around the world.
My hope this month is that collectively we will close our eyes, commit to pray for the children, and that they will sense an indescribable hope fueled by touches of goodness and love.
Blessings my friends,
Susan K. Slonaker
P.S. Joy Swatek has accepted the position of Director of the REACH Children Around the World in Prayer in addition to her role as Director of REACH Purdy Prison. Please help us support this position with a monthly gift of 25, 50 or 100 dollars.